^^^jfjk* 



LIBRARY OF" CONGRESS. 

BY" 

1 %l 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



PRAYER BOOK 

1 



AND — 



AIDS TO PRIVATE DEVOTIONS 



TxTpt) & **V 



/ 



"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh 
to you." — James 4 ; 8. 




TIFFIN, OHIO: 

E. R. GOOD & BEO,, 

1881. 




FACE. 



A brief Manual of Prayer and an Aid to Private 
Devotions, especially for young Christians— this was 
the object held in view in the preparation of this 
little volume, which it is hoped may serve as an aid, 
and encouragement, to a great many persons, who 
sincerely desire to come up to the measure of their 
duty and privilege in the worship of God. A book 
of this kind, placed in the hands of young and old, 
may be of great service to them for their well being 
here and hereafter. It consists of seven parts,: 
1 — Scriptural Invitations to Prayer ; 2 — Aids to 
Private Devotions ; 3 — Family Prayers ; 4 — Table 
Prayers ; 5 — Prayers for and in behalf of the Sick ; 
6— Prayers for the use of those who are Sick ; 7 — 
Prayers for the Social Prayer Meeting. 

May this little book, faithfully used, become a 
guide and companion to many a pilgrim through 
the desert of this world to the Heavenly Jerusalem 
above. J. H. G. 

Tiffin, 0., Dec. 1, 1880. 

*This work is preparatory to a larger and com- 
plete Family Prayer Book; which will be issued in 
due time. 

Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 

1880, by E. R. Goon & Bro., in the office of the 

Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



I. Invitations to Prayer. 

Ps. 145 ; 18, 19.— "The Lord is nigh unto all them 
that call upon him, to all that call upon him in 
truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear 
him : he also will hear their cry, and will save 
them." 

Jer. 29 ; 13, — "And ye shall seek me, and find 
me, when ye shall search for me with all your 
heart" 

Matt. 7 ; 7. — "Ask, and it shall be given you ; 
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you." 

1 Thess. 5 ; 17. — "Pray without ceasing." 

1 Tim. 2 ; 8. — "I will, therefore, that men pray 
every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath 
and doubting." 

Phil. 4 ; 6. — "In everything by prayer and supli- 
cation with thanksgiving let your requests be made 
known unto God." 

James 5 ; 13. — Is any among you afflicted ? let 
him pray." 

Isa. 55 ; 6-7. — "Seek ye the Lord while he may be 
found, call upon him while he is near." 

Acts 17 ; 25-28.— "He giveth to all life, and 
breath, and all things ; and hath made of one blood 
all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the 
earth, and hath determined the times before ap- 
pointed, and the bounds of their habitation, that 
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel 
after him, and find him, though he be not far from 
every one of us : for in him we live and move, and 
have our being." 



4 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

II, Aids to Private Devotions. 

1. Before uniting with the Church. 

(Also on the anniversary of the day.) 

John 6 ; 68, 69. — "Lord, to whom shall we go ? 
Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we be- 
lieve and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son 
of the living God." 

Matt. 16 ; 24. — "If any man will come after me, 
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow me." 

Isa. 41 ; 10. — "Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : 
be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will 
strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will 
uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous- 
ness." 

Matt, 10 : 32, 33.— "Whosoever, therefore, shall 
confess me before men, him will I confess also be- 
fore my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever 
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny be- 
fore my Father which is in heaven." 

John 17 ; 3-10. — "And this is life eternal, that 
they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus 
Christ whom thou hast sent. I pray for them ; I 
pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast 
given me : for they are thine. And all mine are 
thine, and thine are mine." 

Prov. 8 ; 17. — "I love them that love me : and 
those that seek me early shall find me." 

Rom. 10 ; 10. — "For with the heart man believeth 
unto righteousness ; and with the mouth, confession 
is made unto salvation." 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 



Ps. 116 ; 13, 14.— "I will take the cup of salvation, 
and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay 
my vows unto the Lord, now in the presence of all 
his people." 



O Lord, my Saviour, grant me grace, in 
this hour of preparation, for the solemn 
step, by which I devote myself to thee, and 
to thy service, for life and for death, that I 
may be able truly to renounce myself, and 
to lean in faith upon thee, and thy perfect 
work. O be my strength in my weakness, 
and instruct me by thy Holy Spirit. Be 
thou henceforth my Prophet, to teach me, 
my Priest and Sacrifice, to atone for me, 
and my King, to rule over me. Help me to 
become more and more united to thee, that 
I may truly confess thy name, and present 
myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to 
thee; and that with a free and good con- 
science I may fight against sin and Satan in 
this life, and afterwards reign with thee 
eternally in the life above. Keep me, O 
Lord, ever in union and fellowship with thy 
Church, that I may enjoy the dispensation 
of the means of grace : so that living in thy 
fear, and dying in thy favor, I may at last 
be gathered, with all the ransomed, into the 
Church triumphant in heaven. Amen. 



6 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

Dear Saviour, help me this day, to re- 
nounce with all my heart, all evil, the lusts 
of the flesh, the lusts of the eye,- and the 
pride of life. I humbly beseech thee, so to 
surround me with thine loving arms of 
grace, that I may never stray from thy fold 7 
but remain faithful unto the end. Amen. 



[On the Anniversary of the day.] 
s O most merciful God and Father, who art 
faithful in all thy promises, from the depths 
of the heart I praise thee, that thou hast en- 
abled me to see and understand my sin and 
misery : that thou hast revealed to my 
heart the blessed Eedeemer, the Chief 
among ten thousand, and the one altogether 
lovely, who alone is able to rescue from sin 
and death : and that I have a comforting 
hope that through true faith I have become 
thy child, and an heir of thy promises. O 
God, help me henceforth to lay aside all sin, 
all desire after the vanities of this world ; to 
consecrate myself wholly, body, soul and 
spirit, unto thy service. Be near me, dear- 
est Saviour. Be thou to me the Way, and 
the Truth, and the Life. Uphold me by 
thy free grace. Send to me the fullness of 
thy Holy Spirit, that 1 may be, and remain, 
thine for time and eternity. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

2. Before going to Church. 

Ps. 26 ; 12. — "In the congregations will I bless the 
Lord." 

Ps. 95 ; 6, 7. — "0 come, let us worship and bow 
down : let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For 
he is our God ; and we are the people of his pas- 
ture, and the sheep of his hand." 

1 Pet. 1 ; 25.— "The word of the Lord endureth 
forever. And this is the word which by the gospel 
is preached unto you." 

O Lord, hear my prayer, for I will go to 
the house where thine honor dwelleth. I 
will go to thy house, according to thy great 
goodness, and pray towards thy holy temple 
in thy fear. Amen. 

O God, let thy Holy Spirit, who on the 
first day of the week descended on the 
Apostles, descend also upon me, that I may- 
be in the Spirit on this Lord's day. Help 
me to worship thee as I ought. O let me 
join in the prayers and praises and services 
of the Church, with ardent and heavenly 
affections. Let me hear thy word with 
earnest attention, and obey it with a sincere 
and humble mind. Let me devote this day 
to rest; to meditation, praise and prayer. 
And let the words of my mouth, and the 



8 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

meditations of my heart, be always accepta- 
ble in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and 
my Eedeemer. Amen. 



3. After entering the Church, 

Hab. 2 ; 20.— "The Lord is in his holy temple : 
let all the earth keep silence before him." 

Ps. 84 ; 10. — "A day in thy courts is better than 
a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the 
house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 
wickedness." 

Gen. 28 ; 17. — "This is none other but the house 
of God, and this is the gate of heaven." 



O God, from above proceed all holy de- 
sires, all good resolutions, and all just works, 
grant unto me at this time that peace which 
the world cannot give. Help me to wor- 
ship thee in the beauty of holiness. Fulfill 
the desires and petitions of my heart, so far 
as it seemeth good in thy sight, and grant 
me in this world the knowledge of the 
truth, and in the world to come everlasting 
life. Amen. 



1 wait for thee, O Lord, my soul doth 
wait. In thy word do I hope. Let thy 
mercy be upon me, according as I hope in 
thee. Amen. 



PRIVATEDEYOTIONS. 9 

Unto thee do 1 lift mine eyes, O Thou 
that dwellest in the heavens. Mine eyes 
wait upon the Lord my God, that he may 
have mercy upon me. Amen. 



4. Before the Lord's Supper. 

Gal. 6 ; 14. — "God forbid that I should glory, save 
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Eev. 3 ; 20. — "Behold, I stand at the door, and 
knock : If any man hear my voice, and open the 
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 
and he with me." 

1 Cor. 11 ; 28. — "But let a man examine himself, 
and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that 
cup." 

Luke 18 ; 13. — "God be merciful to me a sinner!" 

1 John 3 ; 1. — "Behold, what manner of love the 
Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be 
called the sons of God !" 

Isa. 53 ; 5. — "He was wounded for our trans- 
gressions, he was bruised for our iniquities ; the 
chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with 
his stripes we are healed." 

John 15 ; 13, 14. — "Greater love hath no man 
than this, that a man lay down his life for his 
friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I 
command you." 

John 15 ; 5. — "I am the vine, ye are the branches : 
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same 
bringeth forth much fruit : for without me ye can 
do nothing." 



10 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

O most merciful God, grant me a holy 
sorrow of heart, a living trust in Christ, a 
sure hope of mercy, through his precious 
blood : that I may with a good conscience, 
a believing, penitent and thankful spirit, 
approach the table of the Lord. Amen. 



Saviour of the world : may thy uplifted 
cross strengthen my faith. May thy suffer- 
ings touch and melt my Soul. Help me to 
come to thy table with a broken and a con- 
trite spirit, which the High and Holy One 
will not despise. Amen. 



O Lord Jesus Christ : let thy crucified 
body sanctify me unto everlasting life. Let 
thy blood wash me pure from all my sins, 
and open to me an entrance into thy holy 
kingdom. O Thou Lamb of God, that tak- 
est away the sins of the world, let thy body 
and thy blood strengthen me, preserve me, 
and all communicants, in true faith, love 
and hope, unto eternal life. Amen. 



Strengthen my faith, O Lord, that I may 
not only receive the emblems of the body 
and blood, but that I may also partake of 
the Lord himself: so that not only may I 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 11 

live, but that Christ may live in me : and 
that the life which I shall yet live, I may 
live in the faith of the Son of God, who hath 
loved me, and who gave himself to the 
death of the cross for me. Amen. 



Dearest Lord, once crucified for me, but 
now risen from the dead and exalted to 
heaven, thy loving-kindness draws me, and 
I rejoice in view of the privilege of partak- 
ing of the cup of salvation. O grant that by 
thy grace I may be entirely consecrated to 
thy service, now and hereafter. Amen. 



O mo^t merciful Father : who hast called 
me to partake of the spiritual food of the 
body and blood of thy dear Son : grant me 
the wedding garment of the righteousness 
of Christ, that I may come, duly prepared, to 
thy heavenly feast. Show me my sins, and 
wash them away in the blood of Jesus. 
Deepen my repentence ; quicken my faith ; 
fill my heart with love ; save me from cold- 
ness and formality. Bless me with an earn- 
est spirit, and receive me, unworthy though 
I be, for Jesus' sake. Amen. 



O Thou who hast loved me, and descend- 
ed unto the most cruel death for my sake, 



12 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

fit and prepare me worthily to partake of 
the Holy Supper. Thou desirest my heart : 
I give it to thee. O grant me the benedic- 
tion of thy Holy Spirit, that thou mayest 
dwell in me, and keep the Supper with me, 
and I with thee. Amen. 



5. After the Lord's Supper. 

Rev. 1 ; 5, 6. — "Unto him that loved us, and 
washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath 
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; 
to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. 
Amen." 

1 Pet. 1 ; 15. — "But as he which hath called you 
is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversa- 
tion." 

Col. 2 ; 6. — "As ye have therefore received 
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." 



O most holy and most merciful Father: 
having tasted this day how sweet are the 
joys that Christ gives to them that seek him 
in truth, and how pure are the pleasures 
that flow, through the Spirit of all grace, 
from a living union with Christ our Head : 
grant that I may all my life time fit myself 
more and more, by growing in holiness, for 
the eternal Sabbath of communion with thee 
in heaven. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 13 

O Saviour, as thou didst give thyself a sac- 
rifice for me, that I may yield myself a sac- 
rifice to thee: grant that my whole life may 
be a worship, in which I may serve thee, and 
live unto thee : so that thou mayest be my 
all in all, and that in thee I may attain unto 
the resurrection of the body, and eternal 
lite. Amen. 



6. On entering upon the Duties of the Day. 

John 9; 4. — "I must work the works of him that 
sent me, while it is day : the night cometh, when 
no man can work." 

Matt. 26 ; 41— "Watch and pray, that ye enter 
not into temptation ; the spirit indeed is willing, 
but the flesh is weak." 



Heavenly Father, be with me this day in 
my going out, and in my coming in. Make 
me watchful and circumspect in my walk 
and conversation. . Put thy fear into my 
heart, O God, that I may be kept from sin- 
ning against thee. Amen. 



Direct me, O Lord, in all my doings, by 
thy gracious Spirit, and further me with thy 
continual help : that in all my works, begun, 
continued and ended in thee, I may glorify 



14 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

thy holy name : and finally, by thy mercy, 
attain unto everlasting life, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



O Lord God, who hast safely brought me 
to the beginning of another day : defend me 
by thy power ; guard me against artn and er- 
ror : and so order the events of this day, 
that they may promote thy glory, and the 
welfare of my fellow-men : through Christ 
the Lord. Amen. 



7. On Retiring to Rest. 

Ps. 4 ; 8. — "I will lay me down in peace, and 
sleep : for thou, Lord, only makest rue to dwell in 
safety." 

Ps. 121 ; 2-5. — "My help cometh from the Lord, 
who made heaven and earth. Lie will not suffer 
thy foot to be moved ; he that keepeth thee shall 
not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall 
neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keep- 
er ; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand." 



Take me, O Lord, under thy gracious pro- 
tection during this night. Preserve me from 
all dangers and perils. Keep me in peace 
and in safety. Give me that rest that shall 
refresh me in body, soul and spirit. Grant 
that I may arise, in health, to praise thee for 
thy goodness : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 15 

Let my sleep be sweet, and free from sin. 
May the Saviour and Guardian of my soul 
take me under his protection this night and 
evermore. Amen. 



I offer unto thee, O Lord, my evening sac- 
rifice of thanksgiving. Thou hast pre- 
served me from all dangers during the day 
now past. Thou hast been my support 
from my youth until now. Lnder the snad- 
ow of thy wings let me pass through the 
darkness of this night in comfort and peace. 
Make me to remember thee on my bed ; to 
think upon thee when I am waking, and to 
commune with mine own heart. And what- 
ever days thou shalt please to add to my 
life, let them all be devoted to thy service 
and to thy glory : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O Lord, grant that I may lie down to 
sleep with the same charitable dispositions 
with which I desire and hope to die. I 
pray for all my friends. I pray for all that 
are my enemies and adversaries ; not for 
judgment and vengence upon them, but for 
mercy ; for the remission of their sins, and 
for their eternal welfare. Amen. 



16 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

To my weariness, O Lord, vouchsafe thou 
rest. To my exhaustion, renew thou 
strength. Deliver me from the terror by 
night, and the pestilence that walketh in 
darkness. Supply me with restful sleep ; 
and grant that I may pass this night with- 
out fear. O Keeper of Israel, who neither 
slumberest nor sleepest, keep me in safety 
of body and soul. Let me awake, and be 
present with thee. Let me lie down in 
peace, and take my rest : for it is thou, 
Lord, only who makest me to dwell in safe- 
ty. Amen. 



8. On the death of one's Father or Mother, 

Ps. 116 ; 15. — "Precious in the sight of the Lord 
is the death of his saints." 

Ex. 3 ; 6.— "I am the God of thy father, the God 
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of 
Jacob." 

Luke 20 ; 38. — "He is not a God of the dead, but 
of the living ; for all live unto him." 



Almighty and most merciful God, the 
consolation of the sorrowful, and the support 
of the weary: thou dost not willingly grieve 
nor afflict the children of men. Look down 
in pity, I beseech thee, upon thy servant 
whose joy is turned into mourning. Ac- 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 17 

cording to the multitude of thy mercies, be 
pleased to uphold, guide and strengthen me 
in my affliction, that I may not faint, but 
find in thee my comfort and refuge. Help 
me to keep in grateful remembrance all that 
the departed one has done for me, in the 
years that are past ; and may this encourage 
me to live and labor well while the Lord 
gives me life : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O Lord God, Heavenly Father, who alone 
art the author and disposer of life : from 
whom our spirits have come, and to whom 
they shall return : I bow myself before thee, 
and acknowledge thy sovereign right, both 
to give and to take away, as seemeth good 
in thy sight. O Lord, help me to rest in 
thy word, that thy thoughts are higher than 
our thoughts, and thy ways higher than'our 
ways. I would humbly, but in faith, say : 
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath, taken 
away: Blessed be the name of the Lord. 
Amen. 



9. On the Death of a Friend. 

Job 14 ; 14. — "If a man die, shall he live again ?" 
John 11 ; 25, 26.— "Jesus said unto Martha, I 
am the resurrection and the life : he that belie veth 
2 



18 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall 
never die." 

Isa. 64 ; 6. — "We all do fade as a leaf ; and our 
iniquities like the wind, have taken us away." 

1 Cor. 7 ; 29-31.— "But this I say, brethren, the 
time is short : it remaineth that they that weep be 
as though they wept not ; and they that rejoice, as 
though they rejoiced not ; and they that buy, as 
though they possessed not ; and they that use this 
world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this 
world passeth away." 

Ecc. 9 ; 10. — "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to 
do, do it with thy might : for there is no work nor 
device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave 
whither thou goest." 



O God, I humbly beseech thee to make me 
deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer- 
tainty of human life : and grant me that the 
Good Shepherd may lead me safely through 
this vale of tears into another and a better 
land. I bless thee tor the Christian hope re- ' 
vealed through thy dear Son, and that we 
know that he has gone before us to prepare 
those mansions above for those that are his. 
O grant, that when I shall have served thee 
in my generation, I may be gathered unto 
my fathers, having the testimony of a good 
conscience; in the communion of thy holy 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 19 

Church ; in the assurance of a certain faith ; 
in the comfort of the Christian hope : in fa- 
vour with thee, my God : and in perfect 
charity with all the world : for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



O most merciful Father in Heaven : grant 
me grace to bear with Christian submission 
this afflicting stroke from thy hand. Teach 
me, that in love, and as a Father, thou hast 
visited me so heavily. Direct my thoughts 
to where alone true comfort can he found, 
even the revelation of thy fatherly wisdom, 
and the love of my merciful Eedeemer. 
Help me to remember that such must also be 
my lot some day : that I too must close my 
eyes on this world, and pass away from the 
land of the living. O, when my turn shall 
come, may I lie down in peace, and fall 
asleep in Jesus. To this end, may my loins 
be girt, and my light be burning, looking 
for thy summons. And thus may I be en- 
abled to praise thee forever in thy kingdom 
above : through him who is the Eesurrection 
and the Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



10. When under Conviction of Sin. 
Ezra 9 ; 6. — a O my God, I am ashamed and blush 
to lift up my face to thee, my God." 



20 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

Job 42 ; 6. — "I abhor myself, and repent in dust 
and ashes." 

Ps. 51 ; 17. — "The sacrifices of God are a broken 
spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, God, thou 
wilt not despise." 

1 John 1 ; 9. — "If we confess our sins, he is faith- 
ful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness." 

Mark 10 ; 47. — "Jesus, thou Son of David, have 
mercy on me." 

Mark 9; 24. — "Lord, I believe ; help thou mine 
unbelief." 

1 John 1 ; 7. — "The blood of Jesus Christ, his 
Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 



O Lord, I am ashamed to come before 
thee. But I must come, or perish. I de- 
spair of myself. My own righteousness is 
but as filthy rags. I know that thou art 
angry with the sinner. But I know that 
thou pitiest me. Else why do I yet live. 
O make me full of genuine sorrow for all 
my sins ; but also full of hopes of thy mercy 
and forgiveness : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O most Holy and most Merciful God : 
spare me, thy poor, sinful, but repenting 
creature. Q give me rest — rest in thy per- 
fect atonement \ resjb in the blood of Jesus, 
which cleanseth from all sin : rest in that 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 21 

victorious faith, which lays hold on the per- 
fect work and infinite merits of Christ, my 
Saviour. Amen. 



11. After a Relapse into Sin. 

Luke 15 ; 21. — "Father, I have sinned against 
heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy 
to be called thy son." 

Neh. 13 ; 22. — "Spare me, according to the great- 
ness of thy mercy." 

Dan. 9 ; 8. — "To us belongeth confusion of face, 
because we have sinned against thee." 

Ps. 51 ; 4. — "Against thee, thee only, have I 
sinned, and done this evil in thy sight" 

Ps. 69 ; 1-15.— "Save me, O God ; for the waters 
are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, 
where there is no standing. I am come into deep 
waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary 
of my crying : mine eyes fail while I wait for my 
God. God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear 
me. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not 
sink : let me be delivered out of the deep waters. 
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the 
deep swallow me up." 



O Almighty and Merciful God, I humbly 
prostrate myself, a guilty sinner, before thy 
throne, accusing and condemning myself, 
with true and heart-felt sorrow, for my sins. 
I confess them with shame and confusion of 
face. Have pity upon me, according to thy 



22 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

great goodness : and according to the multi- 
tude of thy mercies blot out my transgres- 
sions : for the sake of the passion and the 
merits of Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Amen. 



O most merciful Father, who hast com- 
passion upon all penitent men, and desirest 
not the death of a sinner, but rather that he 
should turn from his sins and be saved : 
mercifully hear my humble prayer, and for- 
give my great transgressions. Spare me, 
good Lord, spare me, an unprofitable servant. 
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, 
but so turn thine anger from me, who truly, 
in dust and in ashes repent of my sins, and 
so make haste to help me, that I may see 
thy reconciled face ; that I may ever live 
in communion with thee, both in this 
life, and in the world to come : for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



I, a poor sinner, confess before thee, my 
God, and Creator, that I have greviously 
sinned against thee, not only with outward 
transgressions, but with inward unbelief, 
blindness, pride, envy and other sinful affec- 
tions. I deplore my sins of omission and 
commission. I repent of these sins with 
faith unfeigned, and I sorrow on account of 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 23 

them. I heartily beseech thee for mercy 
and forgiveness. O grant me daily increase 
of thy Spirit, that I may be able to turn from 
all sin, to resist all temptation, and hereafter 
to live entirely to thine honor and glory : 
for Jesus' sake. Amen. 



12. In Times of Adversity and Poverty. 

Ps. 50 ; 15. — "Call upon me in the day of trouble: 
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." 

Ps. 102 ; 17. — "He will regard the prayer of the 
destitute, and not despise their prayer." 

Prov. 30 ; 8, 9. — "Give me neither poverty nor 
riches ; feed me with food convenient for me : lest 
I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord ? 
or, lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of 
my God in vain." 

James 2 ; 5. — "Hearken, my beloved brethren, 
Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich 
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath 
promised to them that love him ?" 

2 Cor. 8 ; 9. — "For ye know the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for 
your sakes he became poor, that ye through his 
poverty might be rich." 

Matt. 5 ; 3. — "Blessed are the poor in spirit : for 
theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Matt. 6 ; 26, 33.— "Behold the fowls of the air : for 
they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into 
barns ; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. 
Are ye not much better than they ? But seek ye 



24 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness ; 
and all these things shall be added unto you." 



O merciful Saviour ; who didst feed the 
thousands with the few loaves and fishes, 
and who art the same, yesterday, to-day, 
and forever, look upon me with an eye of 
compassion. Help me, that I may not de- 
spair, but trust in the faithful Father, who 
feeds the fowls of the air, and will not for- 
sake me, if I trust in him. Cause goodness 
and mercy to follow me all the days of my 
life, and let me dwell in the house of the 
Lord forever. Amen. 



O God, my Heavenly Father : in thee 
alone is my help, in this time of adversity. 
Thou hast sorely afflicted me, but I know 
that it is in love. For thou art a merciful 
God, and wilt not lay upon me a burden too 
heavy for me to bear. Unto thee do I lift 
up mine eyes. Place around me thine ever- 
lasting arms ; make me to know, that as my 
days, so shall my strength be. Hide me un- 
der the covert of thy wings, and speak com- 
fort to my soul. Amen. 



Thou art able, O Lord, so to strengthen 
me, that I may be able to bear up under 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 25 

all ray privations and wants. Thou didst 
not spare thine only-begotten Son, wilt thou 
not with him freely give me all things nec- 
essary for my temporal and spiritual wants? 
Help me to regard the lilies of the field. O 
Thou who dottiest the grass of the field, 
which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into 
the oven, make me to know by faith, that 
thou wilt much more clothe me and mine. 
Thou knowest, O Heavenly Father, that we 
have need of all these things. Make me to 
seek first the kingdom of God, and his right- 
eousness : and let all these things be added 
thereto; for Christ's sake. Amen. 



13. In Times of Prosperity. 

Ps. 62 ; 10. — "If riches increase, set not your 
heart upon them." 

Matt. 10 ; 8. — "Freely ye have received, freely 
give." 

Ps. 103 ; 2-4.— "Bless the Lord, ray soul, and 
forget not all his benefits : who crowneth thee with 
lovingkindness and tender mercies." 

1 Tim. 6 ; 17-19.— "Charge them that are rich in 
this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust 
in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giv- 
eth us richly all things to enjoy ; that they do good, 
that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute? 
willing to communicate ; laying up in store for 



26 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

themselves a good foundation against the time to 
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 

Acts 20 ; 35. — "It is more blessed to give than to 
receive." 

Heb. 13 ; 16. — "But to do good, and to communi- 
cate, forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well 
pleased." 



O Lord, God of all providence, it is thine 
to endow with wealth, or to subject to pov- 
erty. May prosperity and abundance never 
become a snare to my soul. May they not 
estrange my heart from thee. Teach me, 
that a man's life consists not in the abun- 
dance of the things that he possesseth, and 
that even poverty, with the divine favor, is 
better than riches, where thy blessing is not 
present. Therefore take not away from me 
thy Holy Spirit, and teach me to lay up 
treasure in heaven, that shall never pass 
away : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O Heaventy Father, thou hast indeed 
blessed my labors and efforts far beyond 
what I have deserved. Thou hast prospered 
me thus far. O make me sincerely thankful. 
Tune my heart to praise thee as I ought. 
Put a new song in my mouth, even thanks- 
giving unto my God. Preserve me from be- 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 27 

ing too much taken up with the things of 
this world. Make me ever mindful that 
this world is not my abiding home, my 
rest. Amen. 



O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy 
name in all the earth ! Teach me to praise 
and bless thee for all thy goodness and 
mercy. Let thy temporal blessings remind 
me of the greater riches of thy goodness re- 
vealed in the gift of thy Son, for redemption 
from sin and for adoption into thy family. 
Seeing thy great mercies, teach me to ask, 
What shall 1 render unto the Lord for all 
his benefits ? Teach me to regard myself as 
thy servant, thy steward : that so I may do 
good to all men, and faithfully discharge all 
my duties to my fellow-men, and to the 
Church of the living God. And at last be 
prepared to render up a good account: 
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 



14. In Times of Temptation. 

James 1 ; 2, 3. — "My brethren, count it all joy 
when ye fall into divers temptations ; knowing this, 
that the trying of your faith worketh patience. " 

1 Cor. 10 ; 13.— "God is faithful, who will not 
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; 



28 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

but will with the temptation also make a way of 
escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 

Heb. 4 ; 15. — "For we have not a high priest 
which cannot be touched with a feeling of our in- 
firmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we 
are, yet without sin." 

2 Cor. 12 ; 9. — "And he said unto me, My grace 
is sufficient for thee : for my strength is made per- 
fect in weakness." 

Heb. 2 ; 18.— "For in that he himself hath suf- 
fered being tempted, he is able to succour them that 
are tempted." 

1 Pet. 5 ; 8. — Be sober, be vigilant ; because your 
adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh 
about seeking whom he may devour : whom resist 
steadfast in the faith." 



O God, Faithful and Merciful Father, the 
Refuge of all who are tempted and tried, aid 
me in the midst of the temptations of this 
wicked world. Suffer me not to be tried 
above what I am able to bear. Grant me 
watchfulness and patience in all my tempta- 
tions. Out of the depths I cry to thee for 
strength, for help and for deliverance. Mer- 
ciful Saviour, stretch out thine arm and up- 
hold me, and bring me at last in safety to 
that world, where sin and temptation shall 
cease, and where sorrow and sighing shall 
be no more : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 29 

O Lord, when the enemy comes in like a 
flood, do thou lift up a standard against him. 
Enable me to stand in the evil day, and hav- 
ing done all, to stand : through Jesus Christ, 
our Lord. Amen. 



O Faithful Saviour, who art the true 
Shepherd of souls, let me hear thy voice 
sounding in my ears, Watch and Pray. 
Grant me a just sense of my own inahilit}^ 
and weakness, that I may rely, not in my 
own strength, but on thy sustaining grace: 
so that I may be diligent in prayer, fervent 
in the Spirit, and by thy strength may be a 
conqueror in all the assaults of the evil one : 
through the merits and mediation of Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



O Holy and Merciful Saviour, have mercy 
upon me in all hours of temptation and trial; 
in all dangers of soul and body ; in prosper- 
ity and in adversity ; in the hour of death, 
and in the day of judgment. O save and de- 
liver me, and all followers of Jesus. Amen. 



15. In Times of Despondency. 

Ps. 143 ; 4. — "My spirit is overwhelmed within 
me ; my heart within me is desolate." 



30 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

Ps. 116 ; 6. — "I was brought low, and he helped 
me." 

Isa. 61 ; 1, 2. — "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon 
me : because the Lord hath anointed me to preach 
good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to 
bind up the broken-hearted ; to proclaim the accept- 
ably ear of the Lord ; to comfort ail that mourn." 

1 Cor. 16 ; 13. — " Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, 
quit you like men, be strong." 

Isa. 43 ; 2. — "When thou passest through the 
waters, I will be with thee : and through the rivers, 
they shall not overflow thee : when thou walkest 
through the fire, thou shalt not be burned ; neither 
shall the flame kindle upon thee." 

Phil. 4 ; 13. — "I can do all things through Christ 
which strengthened me." 



Grant, O Lord, that amid all the difficul- 
ties, dangers, darkness and adversities of 
this life, I may depend upon thy powerful 
help and thy great mercy, and on thee 
build my hopes, as on a sure foundation. 
Let thine infinite love in Christ Jesus de- 
liver me from despondency and despair, 
from doubt and unbelief: both now amid 
the present difficulties, and at the hour of 
death : for Jesus' sake. Amen. 



O Lord, my God, thou seest that my 
heart is overwhelmed within me : that I am 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 31 

faint and weary. O lead me to the rock 
that is higher than I. Why art thou cast 
down, O my soul? And why art thou dis- 
quieted within me? Hope thou in God: 
for I shall yet praise him who is the health 
of my countenance, and my God. Amen. 



O Thou, who art my Guide and Friend, 
my Counsellor and Advocate, to thee 1 come 
in this my time of need. Lord, thou know- 
est how sorely I am tried by spiritual doubts 
and fears. Have compassion upon me. 
Pity thy servant, and in thine own good 
time make every doubt and difficulty to van- 
ish. In the meanwhile support me by thy 
grace. O hold me up, lest I sink. Let not the 
waves overwhelm me. Speak to my heart, 
and make me to feel thy love towards me. 
Show me that thou art indeed my Father 
and my God. Lord, I believe ; help thou 
mine unbelief. Hearken to thy servant in 
his distress, and when thou hearest, put 
forth thy power to save : for thine own sake, 
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit 
art one God over all, blessed forevermore. 
Amen. 



32 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

16. In Times of Care and Trouble. 

Ps. 31 ; 9, 10. — "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, 
for I am in trouble. For my life is spent with grief 
and my years with sighing." 

Ps.. 37 ; 5. — "Commit thy way unto the Lord ; 
trust also in him ; and he shall bring it to pass." 

Ps. 70 ; 1. — "Make haste, God, to deliver me ; 
make haste to help me, God." 

Ps. 126 ; 5, 6. — "They that sow in tears shall reap 
in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing 
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with re- 
joicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 

1 Pet. 5 ; 7. — "Cast all your care upon him, for he 
careth |or you." 

Eom. 5 ; 3-5. — "We glory in tribulations also ; 
knowing that tribulation worketh patience ; and 
patience, experience ; and experience, hope ; and 
hope maketh not ashamed." 

Job 5 ; 19. — "He shall deliver thee in six troubles : 
yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." 



O God, my heavenly Father : in all my 
cares and sorrows, I look up in faith unto 
thee, in whose hands are all our ways. Help 
me to say with all my heart, Thy will be 
done. And grant that the sorrows of my 
pilgrimage through this valley of tears, may 
teach me that this world is not our true rest, 
but that w^e must seek another and a better 
country. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 33 

O most Merciful Father, who hast brought 
me low. and bowed down my heart in sor- 
row, graciously hear and assist me now. 
Sanctify unto me all thy fatherty dispensa- 
tions, and let them prove a blessing to my 
soul. I know that thy judgments are right. 
O inspire mc with true wisdom, that I may 
be submissive to thy will. While I am in 
the world, keep me from all evil, and let thy 
good Spirit direct and rule my heart in all 
things : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O God, thou art the same yesterday, to- 
day and forever. A thousand years in thy 
sight are but as yesterday when it is past, 
and as a watch in the night. Thou hast 
been the refuge of thy people in all genera- 
tions. Amid earthly cares and sorrows,' we 
ean find rest and repose in thee. In thee we 
can lay up a good foundation against the 
time to come. From the weakness and woes 
of earth, the heart seeks strength and eternal 
life in thee. Help me to be patient. Help 
me to be content. As Jesus drank the deep 
cup of affliction, and passed through the 
deep waters of sorrow, and meekly bore his 
cross : so, looking up to him as my Guide 
and Pattern, let me ever walk meekly and 



34 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

contentedly in his footsteps, until thou call- 
est me out of the sorrows of this life, into 
thy heavenly rest above : for Christ's sake. 
Amen. 



17. In Times of Sickness or Pestilence. 

Hosea 6 ; 1. — "Come, and let us return unto the 
Lord : for he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." 

Ps. 142 ; 5, 6.— "I cried unto thee, O Lord : I 
said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the 
land of the living : attend unto my cry ; for I am 
brought very low." 

Ps. 90 ; 7. — "We are consumed by thine anger, 
and by thy wrath are we troubled." 

Ps. 90 ; 14, 15. — "O satisfy us early with thy 
mercy ; that we may rejoice and be glad all our 
days : make us glad according to the days wherein 
thou hast afflicted us." 

Matt. 8 ; 25. — "Lord save us : we perish." 

Lam. 3 ; 22. — "It is of the Lord's mercies that we 
are not consumed, because his compassions fail 
not." 

Ps. 145; 20.— "The Lord preserveth all them 
that love him." 

Ex. 23 ; 25.— "Ye shall serve the Lord your God, 
and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water ; and I 
will take sickness away from the midst of thee." 



Holy, Lord God Almighty, who of old 
didst stay the angel of pestilence, at the cry of 
thy repenting children, and bring back health 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 35 

to a dying people : hear me, as I bow my- 
self before thee in sackcloth and ashes, and 
grant mercifully to lift from us the heavy 
hand of thy righteous visitation : so that we 
may live before thee, and not die in our sins. 
O Lord, have mercy upon us, for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



O Lord God, who rejectest none that trust 
in thy goodness and rely upon thy promise : 
I come to thee for succour and for help. 
Look in mercy upon thy people who are 
now severely afflicted with the scourge of 
thy angry hand. O Lord, in wrath remem- 
ber mercy. Incline thine ear, and hear the 
cry of thy servant. I confess that thy judg- 
ments are just ; I humbly acknowledge my 
sins and shortcomings : and with a penitent 
and contrite heart, I earnestly pray that 
thou wouldst in mercy pardon, and spare us, 
and restore and heai us. Thou hast prom- 
ised, that if thy people humble themselves, 
and pray, and seek thy presence, and turn 
from their wicked ways, thou wilt hear in 
heaven, and be merciful to them, and heal 
their land. O fulfill now thy gracious 
promise. Hear, O Lord, and be merciful : 
even for Christ's sake, to whom with thee 



36 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all honor 
and praise, world without end. Amen. 



18. Longings after Holiness. 

Matt. 5 ; 8. — "Blessed are the pure in heart, for 
they shall see God." 

Ps. 73 ; 25. — "Whom have I in heaven but thee, 
and there is none upon earth that I desire besides 
thee." 

Ps. 42 ; 1, 2, 8.— "As the hart panteth after the 
water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 
God ; my soul thirsteth for God, for the Irving God. 
Who will command his loving-kindness in the day 
time, and in the night his song shall be with me, 
and my prayer unto ihe God of my life." 

Eph. 4 ; 24. — "That ye put on the new man, 
which after God is created in righteousness and 
true holiness." 

Lam. 3 ; 40. — "Let us search and try our ways, 
and turn again unto the Lord." 

Ps. 51 ; 10.— "Create in me a clean heart, O God ; 
and renew a right spirit within me." 

Matt. 5 ; 6. — "Blessed are they which do hunger 
and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be 
filled." 



Almighty and most Merciful Father, in 
whose hands are the wills and affections of 
men, kindle in my heart holy desires and 
emotions, and drive away all corrupt and 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 37 

evil thoughts. O dispose me to perfect love 
and obedience, that I may earnestly long af- 
ter and seek the holiness, without which no 
one shall see the Lord. O strengthen and 
establish me, that amid all the hopes and 
fears, the joys and sorrows, and the tempta- 
tions of this world, my heart may be fixed 
on high, where alone true joys are to be 
found : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



O Lord, Holy and Eeverend is thy name ! 
We are not worthy, in ourselves, to enter 
into fellowship with thee : for without holi- 
ness no man can see the Lord. What are 
we, who have not kept our first estate, and 
who are passed under the dominion of sin 
and evil ? How can we stand before thee ? 

Lord, I know that thou art of purer eyes 
than to look upon iniquity with allowance. 

1 long, 1 thirst, after greater measures of 
holiness : holiness of life, of conversation 
and of heart. For thy name's sake, hear 
me, and accept me in. the Beloved. May he 
be made unto me wisdom, and righteousness, 
and sanctification, and redemption. Help 
me, that I may not walk after the flesh, but 
after the Spirit. Help me, that I may 
shrink from every approach of sin. Help 



B8 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

me, that I may preserve a conscience void of 
offence ;*so that I may rise to higher duties 
and higher enjoyments, and walk with thee 
daily, like Enoch of old : for Jesus' sake. 
Amen. 



19. Longings after Heaven. 

John 17 ; 24. — "Father, I will that they also whom 
thou hast given me be with me, where I am ; that 
they may behold my glory, which thou hast given 
me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation of 
the world." 

* John 14 ; 2, 3. — "In my Father's house are many 
mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. 
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and 
prepare a place for you, I will come again and re- 
ceive you unto myself ; that where I am, there ye 
may be also." 

1 Cor. 2 ; 9. — "But as it is written, Eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared 
for them that love him." 

Ps. 55 ; 6. — "Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for 
then would I fly away, and be at rest." 

2 Cor. 4 ; 17. — "For our light affliction, which is 
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more ex- 
ceeding and eternal weight of glory." 

Job 3 ; 17. — "There the wicked cease from troub- 
ling ; and there the weary be at rest." 

Phil. 1 ; 23. — "Having a desire to depart, and to 
be with Christ ; which is far better." 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 39 

2 Pet. 3 ; 13. — " Nevertheless we, according to his 
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, 
wherein dwelleth righteousness." 



O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is the first fruits of the 
resurrection from the dead, and who by en- 
tering into glory has opened the kingdom of 
heaven to all believers : raise me up, I be- 
seech thee, from the death of sin to the life 
of righteousness, that being a partaker of 
the death of Christ, and a follower of his 
holy life, I may be a partaker also of his 
Spirit and of his precious promises ; so that 
when I shall depart this life I may rest in 
thee. Lord, let thy grace enable me to fight 
a good fight, to finish my course, and to 
keep the faith unto the end, that at the last 
day I may stand at thy right hand, and 
hear the joyful cry, Come, ye blessed of my 
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for 
you from the foundation of the world. 
Grant this, O Merciful Father : for Christ's 
sake. Amen. 



O Lord, Heavenly Father : Glory be to 
thee that thou hast reserved for thy people 
an inheritence, undefiled and that fadeth 



40 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

not away. Help me to look forward, in 
faith, toward that blessed hope,, when be- 
yond the wilderness of this world, I can 
hope to enter into the enjoyments of the 
heavenly Canaan. Oh, when shall I be 
with thee, where thou art, and behold thy 
glory? In thy presence is fullness of joy,, 
and at thy right hand are pleasures for ever- 
more. O Lord, help me to appropriate the 
precious promise of entering into that rest 
that is reserved for the people ot God. En- 
able me to lay up a good foundation against 
the time to come. In Jesus I trust. Amen. 



20. Thanksgivings. 

Ps. 113 ; 1. — "Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye 
servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord." 

1 Thess. 5 ; 18. — "In everything give thanks, for 
this is the will or God in Christ Jesus concerning 
you." 

Ps. 75 ; 1. — "Unto thee, God, do we give 
thanks, unto thee do we give thanks." 

Neh. 9 ; 5 r 6. — "Stand up and bless the Lord your 
God for ever and ever : Thou, even Thou, art Lord 
alone ; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of 
heavens, with all their host, the earth and all 
things that are therein, the seas, and all that is 
therein, and thou preservest them all." 

Ps. 63 ; 4, 5.— "Thus will I bless thee while I live : 
I will lift up my hands in thy name. And my 
mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips." 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 41 

Ps. 145 ; 1, 2.— "I will extol thee, my God, O 
King ; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy 
name for ever and ever/' 

Heb. 13 ; 15. — "By him, therefore, let us offer 
the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is* 
the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." 

James 1 ; 17. — "Every good gift and every per- 
fect gift is from above, and cometh down from the 
Father of lights, with w T hom is no variableness, 
neither shadow of turning." 



(Thanksgiving for the gift of a Saviour.) 
O most Merciful Father, I humbly thank 
thee for all thy mercies, both spiritual and 
temporal ; but above all for the gift of thy 
Son, his life of holy obedience, and his bless- 
ed sacrifice upon the cross. Grant me a living 
faith in this precious Kedeemer, and a 
thankful obedience to all his commands. 
Help me to love him, for his exceeding great 
love toward me. And grant, that through 
his merits my sins may be put away, and 
nailed to his cross, and buried in his grave 
so that they be remembered no more against 
me. Amen. 



(Thanksgiving for the Christian Calling.) 
O Lord, my Heavenly Father, I give thee 
most hearty thanks that thou hast called me 



42 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

for thine own child, and hast incorporated 
me in thine holy Church ; and made me an 
heir of thine everlasting kingdom. I thank 
thee with all my heart that I have been 
brought out of darkness and error into the 
clear light of thy truth. I bless thee that in 
weakness and temptation I have been de- 
fended by thy heavenly grace ; and that in 
sorrow and trouble I have been comforted 
with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. I 
humbly beseech thee to continue thy grace 
and favor toward me, so that I may ever 
walk before thee in thankfulness : through 
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 



(Thankfulness after Recovery from Sickness.) 
Most Gracious God, the father of all mer- 
cies, and the God of all consolation, to whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death : I 
bless and adore thee, that thou hast raised 
me up from a bed of sickness. Blessed be 
thy holy name for supporting me under the 
pain and anguish of my sick bed, and for 
restoring me in thine own good time, to the 
comfort of health and strength. 

Help me, O Lord, to regard this as a re- 
newed call to repentance and amendment of 
life. To thee would I live, in holiness and 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 43 

T-ighteousness and faith, all my days. O 
help me to forsake every evil way, and 
above all things to study to do that which 
is well-pleasing in thy sight. To this end I 
earnestly implore the aid and guidance of 
thy Holy Spirit, to keep me firm and sted- 
fast in every promise and resolution. Aid 
me, that I may be found watching, when- 
ever my appointed time to depart ma} 7 come, 
and thus be ready to exchange this frail 
state of mortality for an immortal crown : 
through the merits of my Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 



(Thanksgiving for Eecovery from Sickness.) 

O God, my Heavenly Father, thou hast 
taught us in thy word, that all our times 
are in thy hand. Thou redeemest our life 
from destruction, and crownest us with lov- 
ing kindness and tender mercies. I bless 
thee that thou hast heard and answered my 
prayers, and hast delivered me from the 
power of this disease. I was brought low, 
but thou hast helped me. 

O Lord, as thou hast delivered mine eyes 
from tears, my feet from falling, and my 
soul from death, I would daily ask, What 
shall I render unto the Lord for all his bene- 



44 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

fits to me ? Aid me, that I may offer up my 
life unto thee, as a sacrifice of thanksgiving, 
and call continually upon the name of the 
Lord. Teach me, that a recovery from 
sickness is only a reprieve : that the sen- 
tence which dooms man to the dust is only 
suspended : and that, at most, in a few 
years I shall go the way whence I shall not 
return. O Saviour, be with me in life, and 
in the hour of death, forsake me not. Amen. 



(A General Thanksgiving.) 
Almighty, and Most Loving Father: I 
will bless thee and praise thy holy name, 
both now and evermore, for all thy mercies 
to me. Thou hast multiplied thy mercies 
upon me from day to day. Glory be to thee, 
O Lord, for my being and preservation : for 
health and strength ; for understanding and 
memory; for friends and benefactors; but 
above all, glory be to thee for giving thy 
Son to become our Mediator, and to die for 
our sins. Glory be to thee for all thy helps 
of grace, and for the sure hope of heaven. 
Thou hast indeed dealt lovingly with me. 
While I live will I praise the Lord : yea, as 
long as I have any being, will I sing praises 
to my God. My mouth shall show forth thy 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 45 

righteousness all the day long. Blessed be 
the Lord, my God, who only doeth won- 
drous things ; and blessed be his name for- 
ever; and all the earth shall be filled with 
his glory. Amen. 



(A General Thanksgiving.) 
O God, Giver of all good, and Fountain of 
all mercies ; all glory, thanks and praise be 
unto thee for thine everflowing kindness and 
mercy : for thy faithfulness, which is from 
one generation to another: for thy mercies, 
which are new every morning, fresh every 
moment, and more than I can number : for 
seed-time and harvest, and summer and 
winter : for food and raiment and shelter : 
for health of body and of mind : for thy 
fatherly care in health and sickness, in joy 
and sorrow, in temptation and trial, in life 
and death : for friends and kindred and 
kind benefactors : for home and country : 
for thy gospel and thy holy Church. Yea, 
Lord, thou hast crowned thy mercies to us 
by the gift of thy Son, and by his blessed 
work. Therefore, I humbly beseech thee, 
give me grace to offer myself a living sacri- 
fice of thankfullness unto thee, always prais- 
ing and magnifying thy mercies : for Christ's 
sake. Amen, ■ 4 - 



46 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

III. Prayers for the Family. 

1. A Morning Prayer for the use of the Family. 

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father : we 
present ourselves at thy merey seat, to bring 
thee our morning sacrifice of praise and 
thanksgiving. Every day brings new proof 
of thy gracious care, and unceasing kind- 
ness. We bless thee that thou hast watched 
over us during the silence and darkness of 
the past night, and that thou hast protected 
us from all perils and dangers of body and 
soul. Take us, O Lord, again this day, and 
all the days of our lives, under thy divine 
care. Be thou our Light, and guide our 
feet by thy holy word and Spirit, that we 
may not walk in the darkness of our own 
ways, according to the desires of our flesh : 
but that we may have grace to live accord- 
ing to thy divine w T ill. Prepare us, O Lord, 
for our daily work : and for our warfare 
against sin and Satan. Defend us from the 
evil that is in the world. Guide us by thy 
counsel. Sustain us by thy Providence. 
Strengthen us with might by the Spirit in 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 47 

the inner man ; and bless us with all spirit- 
ual blessings in Christ Jesus : to the end 
that we may serve thee acceptably, and in 
our generation usefully, and at last be made 
meet for the inheritance of thy saints in 
light. 

Be with us, O Lord, as a household, and 
go with each one of us, as we separate to our 
respective labors for the day. Keep us in 
thy fear. Bless all who are dear to us. 
Bless and protect our rulers. Uphold all 
faithful ministers of the gospel. Be thou 
the guide of inexperienced youth and the 
staff of declining age. Build up all thy 
saints in their most holy faith, and let the 
ends of the earth soon see thy salvation. 
Hear us, O God, in heaven, thy dwelling 
place, and when thou nearest, forgive. We 
ask it through infinite riches of grace in 
Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. 



2. A Morning Prayer for the use of the Family. 
O Lord, our heavenly Father : we come 
before thee now with the voice of prayer 
and thanksgiving. Thou art worthy of all 
hpncr, The heavens declare thy glory, and 
the firmament sheweth thy handy work. 
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night un- 



48 PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

to night sheweth knowledge. O Lord, our 
Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the 
earth, who hast set thy glory above the 
heavens ! 

From our earliest years thou hast blessed 
us, and led us by thy providence. We be- 
seech thee to visit us again at this time in 
mercy, and to supply all our temporal and 
spiritual wants. We are ignorant ; do thou 
open our souls to the knowledge of the 
truth. We are guilty : do thou wash away 
our sins in the blood of the crucified One. 
We are surrounded with temptations : do 
thou bring us under the banner of the Cap- 
tain of our salvation, that we may become 
more than conquerors. Whether we live, 
may we live unto the Lord. Or, whether 
we die, may we die unto the Lord : that, 
living, or dying, we may be the Lord's. 

Aid us, O Lord, that as w T e go unto our 
daily duties, w^e may carry about with us a 
sense of thy presence, and of the relations, 
in which we stand to thee, so that we may 
be enabled to live to thy glory. In all the 
trials and cares of life, help us to manifest 
the spirit and temper of the disciples of 
Christ ; to endure as seeing thee who art 
invisible ; and at all times to look upon our- 
selves as strangers and pilgrims, who are 



FAMILY PRAYERS. 49 

seeking a better country, that is, a heavenly 
one. Let thy presence go with us wherever 
we go. Let thy blessing rest on us, wher- 
ever we dwell. Preserve us this day : for 
in thee do we put our trust. Thou hast 
delivered our souls from death ; wilt thou 
not deliver our feet from failing, that we 
may walk before God alway. Leave us not, 
nor forsake us, O God of our salvation. 
May our lives, even now, be hid with Christ 
in God : so that when he shall appear, we 
also may appear with him in glory. Hear 
us now, and when thou nearest, forgive : 
and accept of us, and bless us. And unto 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 
will we give ail the praise, world without 
end. Amen. 



3. An Evening Prayer for the use of the Family. 

O Father of all mercies, we thy servants 
lift up our praises and supplications at thy 
footstool. We pray thee to accept of our 
persons, and of our sacrifice, for the sake of 
our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has 
passed into the heavens and taken his seat 
as our Advocate on high. O Lord, thou 
knowest our hearts and our needs. Grant 
us such blessings as we stand in need of. If 



50 FAMILY PRAYERS. 

our burden be a heart of unbelief, lift on us 
the light of thy truth and scatter our doubts. 
If we are weary and heavy-laden, give us 
the rest of the covenant of grace. If we have 
a name to live, while we are dead, send us 
an unction from the Holy One. If we are 
panting after the follies of the earth, and 
laying up treasures here, show us the vanity 
of this world's possessions and enjoyments, 
and put a new song in our mouths, even 
praise to our God. While we live, may we 
live unto thee ; and when thou callest us 
hence, may death be gain unto us. 

O Most Faithful God and Father : we be- 
seech thee to forgive the sins and infirmities 
with which we are most justly chargeable, 
in the duties of this day. .Remember not 
our transgressions against us. Cause us to 
die daily unto sin, and to live unto right- 
eousness. O Lord, increase our faith, deep- 
en our repentence, enlarge and sustain our 
love toward all men. 

O Thou Shepherd of Israel, who never 
slumberest nor sleepest, unto thy care we 
commit ourselves this night. Defend us 
from all perils and dangers, that whether we 
wake or sleep, we may be the Lord's. Never 
leave us, nor forsake us. Be our God and 



FAMILY PRAYERS. 51 

Guide through all the changes of life, and 
cause us to dwell in the house of the Lord 
forever. 

And to thee, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Spirit, one God, we ascribe all praise, 
and glory, and blessing, and honor, and 
thanksgiving, world without end. Amen. 



4. An Evening Prayer for the use of the Family. 

O Lord our God, how excellent is thy 
name in all the earth ! We adore thee, as 
the King eternal, immortal and invisible : 
the only wise, living and true God. 

We thank thee that thou hast poured out 
upon us thy good gifts : that thou hast 
crowned our days with thy mercy and lov- 
ing-kindness. We praise thee for all the 
blessings of this life, and for all the promi- 
ses of a better life to come. We bless thee 
for our creation and preservation ; for the 
comforts of every day, and for the support 
of every hour. Especially do we bless thee 
for calling us to a knowledge of thy will ; 
for the means of grace, and for the hope of 
glory. 

But we acknowledge before thee, O God, 
that we are great sinners. We feel humbled 
by reason of our unworthiness, and the frail- 



52 FAMILY PRAYERS. 

ty and perverseness of our nature, by which 
we daily transgress thy holy law. O pardon 
us for Christ's sake. Cast us not down, as 
cumberers of the ground. Spare us, Good 
Lord, and may we henceforth be neither 
barren nor unfruitful. Glory be to God in 
the highest, that peace has been proclaimed 
on earth, and good will to the sons of men ; 
that a Saviour has lived and died, that we 
might be reconciled to God, and thus be- 
come the children of God. Lord, we would 
believe. Help thou our unbelief. 

We pray thee to look down this night up- 
on all who stand in need of thy gracious 
help. Aid the sick, the afflicted and the 
needy. Hear the sighs and prayers of the 
bereaved and the despairing. Lift up the 
light of thy countenance upon all who are 
in the valley of the shadow of death : sup- 
porting them in their dangers, and bringing 
them safely into the land of everlasting rest. 

Spread over us the wings of thy protec- 
tion this night, and raise us up in health 
and strength on the morning of a new day, 
fitted for its duties, and fortified for its trials. 
Be with us all through life. And when the 
days of our pilgrimage are spent, grant that 
we may find grace and favor in thy sight ; 



FAMILY PRAYERS. 53 

together with all thy people who from the 
beginning oi the world have pleased thee, 
patriarchs and prophets, apostles and mar- 
tyrs. And finally bring us to the full enjoy- 
ment of thy heavenly kingdom. All of 
which we pray for, through infinite riches of 
grace in Christ our Lord. Amen. 



5. An Evening Prayer for the use of the Family. 

Our Father, who art in Heaven. Again 
we draw near to thy mercy- seat. We would 
commune with thee, our most faithful and 
most merciful God, in spirit and in truth. 
We would come in the new and living way, 
which thou hast opened for us, through the 
mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Incline 
thine ear unto us, for his sake, and remem- 
ber us in mercy. 

O God, thou art our God : in thee alone 
do we place our confidence and trust. Thou 
hast led us safely along the journey of life 
thus far. Thou hast blessed us richly and 
abundantly from day to day ; and this day 
too we have experienced thy sustaining 
grace. May thy goodness and mercy lead 
us to true repentence, and may our whole 
lives be evidences of our gratitude to thee 
for all thy mercies. 



54 FAMILY PRAYERS. 

We acknowledge ourselves to be sinners 
before thee. We mourn and confess our 
multiplied transgressions. O humble us 
still more under a sense of our guilt ; and, 
yet, suffer us not to fall into despondency, 
but give us that great consolation and good 
hope, which Christ offers to us through his 
sacrifice upon the cross. 

And now that the shadows of evening 
have again closed over our dwelling, we be- 
seech thee to spread over us the shelter of 
thy protection during the night watches. 
When we lay us down to sleep, do thou, O 
Lord, cause us to rest in safety. Defend us 
from the terrors of the night, and preserve 
us from all evil. May we also remember 
thee, and may we arise to praise thee. 

O Faithful God and Father : we also be- 
seech thee to bless the whole household of 
faith, and all ranks and conditions of men. 
Prosper the kingdom of Christ in every 
land, and give light unto them that yet sit' 
in darkness, and in the region and shadow 
of death. Bless our nation, its rulers and 
its people. In all our borders may there be 
peace and contentment : and in all our 
dwellings may evening and morning sacri- 
fice ascend up to thee. 



TABLE PRAYERS. 55 

Grant us this night refreshing sleep. And 
when the night of death overtakes us, may 
we have an entrance ministered unto us, into 
thine everlasting kingdom : into the rest 
that remaineth for the people of God : 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



IV. Table Prayers. 

The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou 
givest them their meat in due season. 

Amen. 



Bless us, O Lord, in what we are about to 
receive ; and give us grace to enjoy every- 
thing in thee, and thee in everything : for 
Christ's sake. Amen. 



O God, from whom cometh down every 
good and perfect gift, enable us to receive 
these fruits of thy bounty with gratitude : 
and give us grace, that whether we eat or 
drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to 
thy glory, and be accepted in the Re- 
deemer. Amen. 



O Lord, Creator and Preserver of all 
things : we beseech thee to bless these boun- 



56 TABLE PRAYERS. 

ties now before us to our use, and us to thy 
service : through Jesus Christ. Amen. 



In thee, O Lord, we live and move and 
have our being. Thou preservest us, and 
all that we have is thine. Grant now thy 
divine blessing upon what is set before us, 
and enable us to receive it with thankful- 
ness. Feed our souls also with the bread of 
life, and strengthen us, that we may do thy 
holy will : through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 



(After a Meal.) 

Accept, Heavenly Father, our heart-felt 
thanks for this, and for all thy blessings : 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



We praise thee, Lord, for this renewed 
token of thy favor. May we be truly thank- 
ful to thee, and manifest our gratitude by 
our lives : and be fitted finally to eat in thy 
heavenly kingdom above : through our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE SICK. 57 



V. PRAYERS 

To be offered in behalf of the Sick. 



1. A Prayer in behalf of a sick person at the 
commencement of a sickness. 

O Merciful Father, who hast set bounds 
unto our lives, beyond which we cannot 
pass, help us to be grateful unto thee, for 
the many days of health we have enjoyed at 
thy hands. And as this (sister, brother, 
friend, or child) is now called upon to drink 
of the bitter cup of affliction, help (him) to 
do it with patience and humility, submitting 
entirely to thy merciful and holy will. O 
teach (him) that sickness and sorrow are 
warning messengers from on high to forsake 
all sin, to live unto holiness, to be prepared 
for our latter end, and to make our peace 
with God. We know from thy word, O 
Lord, that thou permittest chastisements to 
come upon thy people, in order that they 
may not be condemned with the world, but 
may become transformed into the likeness 
of thy dear Son, and thus be prepared to 
enter with him into thy glory. O grant 



58 PRAYERS 

(him) therefore the presence of thy Spirit, 
that (he) may meditate during the night 
watches of this sickness on the vanity and 
misery of this present life, and on the glory 
of the eternal world : So that (he) maj^ bear 
this affliction with submission and humility, 
kissing the rod whereby the Lord is chast- 
ening (him), and trusting wholly in thy 
mercy through Jesus Christ. And if it may 
be thy will, we humbly beseech thee, O 
Father of all mercies, restore (him) speedily 
to health and strength, that (he) may still 
further carry out thy purposes on earth. 
All of which we ask in the name of Jesus 
Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. 



2. A Prayer for a sick person. 

Almighty and Eternal God, Creator, Pre- 
server, and Ruler of all things, to whom be- 
long the issues of life and death : we ira-- 
plore thee to look down in mercy upon this 
thy servant, whom thou hast been pleased 
to visit with bodily affliction and disease. 
Let thy fatherly goodness and mercy be near, 
as a rich fountain of comfort and strength, 
that (he) may bear this sickness with Chris- 
tian fortitude and patience. Encourage and 



FOR THE SICK. 59 

quicken (his) faint soul with thy Holy 
Spirit, that (he) may by repentence and 
faith be prepared for all the issues of this 
present sickness. O do thou help, that "(he) 
may come to a true estimate of this life, its 
vanity, its abiding cares and sorrows, so 
that (he) may be ready to obey cheerfully 
thy call, whether that call be to further 
serve thee in thy earthly vineyard, or to de- 
part this present life and be at rest with the 
children of God. Strengthen (Ms) faith in 
the merits of Christ's death, and in the pow- 
er of his resurrection and intercession, so 
that in all (his) sufferings the Lord may be 
a present help and a faithful friend. Let 
(him) cast all (his) cares on thee, submit en- 
tirely to thee, with child-like confidence and 
trust. We know that the way of the cross 
is a heavenly, way, and that even in and 
through sickness the Lord is ready to do 
good unto those that love and obey him. 
Grant (him) grace to be in charity with all 
men; to set (his) earthly house in order, 
and to await the will of the Heavenly Fath- 
er. Bless the means made use of for the res- 
toration of (his) health, that if it be possible 
he may again be restored to health and 
strength. 



60 PRAYERS 

O Lord Jesus, who hast suffered, and 
knowest our distresses, and unto whom all 
power is given in heaven and in earth ; 
mercifully hear our prayers. O spare (him) 
j^etatime longer to his friends. Grant (him) 
the comfort of thy presence. Make his faith 
strong and unwavering, and his hope sted- 
fast. Let thine arms of everlasting love 
be round about (him). Uphold (him) by 
thy free Spirit. And when heart and flesh 
shall fail, be thou the strength of (his) heart, 
and the stay of (his) life. And if thou call- 
est (him) hence, may (he) depart in peace^ 
and enter into those heavenly joys, which 
eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, that (he) 
may dwell with thee forever. 

Our Father who art in Heaven, etc- 
Amen. 



3. A Prayer for a Sick person. 

Almighty and Most Merciful Father, the 
everlasting refuge of thy believing children : 
hear us, we humbly beseech thee, as w T e 
pray in behalf of thy sick servant, whom 
it hath pleased thee to afflict with bodily di- 
sease and weakness. O, mercifully comfort 
and relieve (him), so that with returning 



FOR THE SICK. 61 

health (he) may live to thank thee, and to 
praise thee, and to do thj^ most holy will 
evermore : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



4. A Prayer for a Sick Person. 

O Most Merciful Father, the Strength of 
the weak, the Comfort of the sorrowful, the 
.Refuge of the distressed, and the life of the 
dying : we know from thy word that all 
things, and therefore all sorrows and suffer- 
ings, must work together for good, unto 
them that love God. For tribulation work- 
eth patience ; and patience, experience ; and 
experience, hope ; and hope maketh not 
ashamed. 

O Lord, send down thy Holy Spirit upon 
this afflicted friend, and grant that (she) may 
be comforted and preserved unto eternal 
life. Help (her) to fight the good light of 
faith, und to preserve a good conscience be- 
fore thee. Eemember not the sins of the 
past life, nor the omissions of duty. O Lord, 
grant true repentence, a hearty sorrow for 
sin, and the preparation of the heart for 
true comfort. Grant (her) a spirit of meek- 
ness, of humility, of patience, of submission 



62 PRAYERS 

to thy holy will ; of a willingness to bear 
sufferings, even as Christ bore them. 

O Heavenly Father, from whom cometh 
every good and perfect gift, have mercy up- 
on (her) and restore (her) to health and 
strength. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the author 
and finisher of our faith, have mercy upon 
(her), and give (her) peace. 

O Holy Spirit, who workest in us both to 
do and to will of thy good pleasure, comfort 
(her) during the hours of sickness and afflic- 
tion. 

And the peace of God which passeth all 
understanding, keep (her) heart and mind 
in the love of God, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



5. A Prayer for one who is dangerously ill. 

Merciful God and Father, we come be- 
fore thee, in behalf of thy servant who 
is in great weakness of body under thy 
chastening hand. Look down upon (him) 
in pity, we beseech thee. O Lord, if thou 
wilt, thou canst even yet raise (him) up, 
and heal all (his) infirmities. Spare (Jlim), 
O Lord, and restore (him) to health. Com- 
fort our hearts by granting (him) a longer 



FOR THE SICK. 63 

continuance among us. But whatever be 
thy holy will, give us all submission thereto, 
and let (his) soul be ever precious in thy 
sight. Grant (him) a true repentence, a 
lively and triumphant faith in Jesus Christ, 
a hope that is sure and stedfast, entering 
within the veil. Wash (his) soul with the 
blood of thy Son, that it may be cleansed 
from all sins, and in the great day be pre- 
sented pure and without spot before thee. 
If thou shouldst raise (him) again from this 
bed of sickness, may (he) lead the residue of 
(his) life in thy fear, and to thy glory. Or, 
ifthouhast otherwise determined, prepare 
(Mm) for the hour of departure, and support 
(Mm) in the last and trying hour. And 
finally receive us all into thy heavenly 
kingdom : through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ. Amen. 



6. A Prayer for a Sick Child. 

O God, who art the Father of all thy 
children in heaven and in earth, and who 
takest pity upon us, even as a father pitieth 
his children : look down in mercy upon this 
dear child, now stretched upon the bed of 
affliction. regard its pain, and suffering, 



64 PRAYERS FOR THE SICK. 

and anguish, as well as our sorrow and afflic- 
tion. Impute not unto this child its sin 
and depravity ; nor do unto us according to 
our transgressions. But, we humbly beseech 
thee, bless it, according to thy great mercy. 
Bless the means made use of to restore its 
health. And forgive us all our transgres- 
sions for the sake of thy dear Son, who was 
once a child amongst us. O spare this 
child, created by thee, redeemed by thy Son, 
and consecrated to thy service. Be very 
near unto it : yea, overshadow it with thy 
wings of love during all its afflictions. If it 
be thy will, ease its pains, and speedily re- 
store it to health, to our joy and great com- 
fort ; that it may live to praise thee, and to 
serve thee in the beauty of holiness. But 
if it must depart, O give it a calm and 
peaceful passage from time to eternity : for 
the sake of the bitter passion of thy Son, our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND DYING. 65 



VI. Prayers for the use of the Sick and 
the Dying". 



1. A Daily Morning Prayer. 

O Father of Mercies, and God of all com- 
fort, my only help in time of need : thanks 
be unto thee, that thou hast sustained me 
through the watches of another night, and 
permitted me to see the dawning of another 
day. O God, thy mercies are new every 
morning. This precious truth I am per- 
mitted to experience, even in my sickness. 
How much greater pain and distress might 
have come upon me ! How easily could a 
sudden death have carried me away ! But 
thou hast remembered me in mercy. Thou 
hast preserved me by thy almighty power. 
Therefore I praise and magnify thy name, 
that thou hast again been a present Helper 
in my time of need. 

Be with me, O God, this day, and do unto 
me, not according to my sins, but according 
to thy mercy. O dearest Saviour, wash me 
with thine atoning blood, and cleanse me 
from all my sins. Clothe me in thy right- 
eousness, and make me acceptable, in thee, 
to the Father. Draw me to thyself, that I 



66 A DAILY 

may have my highest joy and truest com- 
fort in thee ; that I may have peace, and 
patience, and submission, in the midst of all 
my bodily sufferings. Deliver me from all 
the vanities of the world, and break all sin- 
ful bands that would bind me to this life. 

O Lord, my Saviour, who art the true and 
only rest of the soul, strengthen me in body 
and soul, and give me to know thy saving 
help and comfort. And since thou didst 
bear the burden of all our sins and guilt, 
grant that I may receive and experience the 
fullness of thy redemption : so that whether 
I live or die, I may be entirely thine, in time 
and eternity. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, etc. 
Amen. 



2. A Daily Evening Prayer. 
O Father in Heaven, who makest me to 
experience thy mercy, from morning until 
evening, and from evening until morning, I 
thank thee with my whole heart, that thou 
hast been my stay and support this day, and 
that thou hast upheld me with thy free 
grace. I feel how unworthy I am to be the 
recipient of thy blessings, and how, by rea- 
son of my sins, I have deserved to- be .-.reject* 



EVENING "PRAYER. 67 

cd and forsaken by thee. But thou hast 
graciously preserved me thus far, and art 
still willing to call me to repentence, and to 
invite me to walk in thy paths. Help me to 
understand that this sickness is also an earn- 
est call from thee. O teach me to be thank- 
ful to thee, for all the sufferings of the Sav- 
iour in my behalf. And though the way in 
which I am called to walk is often dark, 
help me to believe, that all things must work 
together for good to me, O that I might 
love my Saviour from my whole heart, and 
submit myself entirely to thy will. Sancti- 
fy to me all, even the bitterest and most 
painful trials that I must yet pass through. 
Grant that this sickness may renew me in 
the inner man ; that it may wean my heart 
from earthly things ; so that I may seek and 
find my supreme joy no longer in myself, 
nor in this world, but in thee. O thou faith- 
ful Father in heaven, let me rest this night 
secure in thy arms; support me through 
its unknown dangers by thy gracious help 5 
and so watch over me, that no evil may ber 
fal me, and that my pain and disease may 
not increase. Grant me, if it be thy will, re- 
freshing sleep, as I rest under the shadow of 
thy wings. Into thine hands I commit my- 



68 A PENITENTIAL 

self, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God 
of truth. Amen. 



3. A Penitential Prayer. 

O Most Merciful God, my Heavenly Fath- 
er : remember not against me my numerous 
offences, but spare me in thy mercy. O 
Saviour, spare thy servant, whom thou hast 
redeemed with thy most precious blood, and 
be not angry with me forever. Deliver me 
from the guilt and burden of my sins ; from 
the sting and terrors of conscience ; and 
from impatience, distrust and despair. 

O Lord God, may it please thee to remem- 
ber me with the favor, which thou bearest 
to thy people, and visit me with thy salva- 
tion. Make me a partaker of all thy mer- 
cies and promises in Christ Jesus ; and re- 
fresh me with the peace and consolations of 
thy Holy Spirit. Bless the means that are 
employed for my recovery, and in thine own 
appointed time, deliver me from all sickness, 
that I may livo henceforth to thee, and be 
an instrument of thy glory. Yet not my 
will, but thine, O Lord, be done. If in thine 
infinite wisdom my appointed time shall now 
come, O give me patience and submission to 
thy holy will : and finally receive me into 



PRAYER. 69 

those heavenly habitations, where the souls 
of those who sleep in the Lord Jesus do en- 
joy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant this, 
O Merciful Father, for Christ's sake. Amen. 



4. A Prayer for Relief from great Pain. 

O God, the Holy one, the Comforter of 
believers, the Strength of the weak, the Joy 
of the sorrowful : come to me, and help me, 
in my great pain and misery. 1 am so faint 
and weak, as scarcely to be able to live. 
Strengthen me through thy grace, and ease 
my pains, that I may be able to bear them. 
O Holy Spirit, be a witness to my Spirit, 
that I am a child of God, and that my 
Heavenly Father orders all things for my 
highest good. Quicken my faith, that I may 
endure this trial. Thou Water of Life, re- 
fresh my weary soul, that I may not entirely 
faint away. Speak to my soul, that I may 
be assured of the salvation of God, here in 
this present life; and in the life to come may 
enjoy it forever. For the Kedeemer's sake. 
Amen. 



5. Short Prayers in times of Distress. 
O Blessed Lord, sustain me in all my trials, 
prepare my soul against thy coming, and 



70 PRAYERS IN 

come when thou wilt. O Saviour of all who 
hope in thee, do me as seemeth best in 
thy sight. Only grant me a patient and 
penitent spirit. Make me acceptable to 
thee, while I live, and make my soul ready 
for thee, when I die. Give me grace in this 
life, and glory in the life to come : for thy 
name's sake. Amen. 



Almighty God, be with me in this hour. 
Strengthen me, and stay with me, with thy 
good Spirit, that this time of trial may be 
blest unto my soul : for Christ's sake. 

Amen. 



Teach me, O Lord, how weak and frail I 
am : how fleeting and uncertain is my mor- 
tal life. Teach me, so to number my days, 
that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. 
Amen. 



O God the Son, who art the same yester- 
day, to-day, and forever : thou knowest my 
pain and distress, for thou art a merciful 
High Priest. O help me in this trying hour. 
Amen. 



O blessed Comforter : in every distress 
be thou with me. Help my weakness y alle- 



TIMES OF DISTRESS. 71 

viate my pain, and let me not sink into de- 
spondency and despair. Amen. 



O Father, out of the depths I cry unto 
thee : hear my voice, and be attentive unto 
my prayer. My hope is in thee : for with 
thee there is grace and much compas- 
sion. O turn my sorrow into joy, as thou 
hast promised, that those that sow in tears 
shall reap in joy : for Christ's sake. Amen. 



6. A Prayer at the Moment of Death. 

Farewell (father, mother, sisters, brothers, 
friends, kindred) ! Farewell, all the scenes 
of earth ! Welcome, sun and moon and 
stars ! Welcome, God and Father ! Wel- 
come, Saviour, Mediator of the new cove- 
nant ! Welcome, Blessed Spirit of grace, 
God of all comfort ! Welcome, glory ! Wel- 
come, eternal life ! Welcome, death ! Into 
thy hands I commit my spirit. Thou hast 
redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth. Amen. 



7. Short Prayers that may be dictated to dy- 
ing persons. 

O Most Merciful Father, help me in my 
trying hour. O God, Gracious Father, abide 
with me now. O Jesus, my Lord and my 



72 PRAYERS FOR THE 

Kedeemer, remain with me. 1 wish to die 7 
relying alone on Jesus. Living, 1 am his : 
dying I am his. O Holy Spirit, strengthen 
me, keep me, and preserve my soul unto 
eternal life. Amen. 



O Saviour, by thy bitter passion and death, 
be near me. I cling to thee. O forsake me 
not. Help me to overcome. I am thine, 
purchased by thy precious blood. If thou 
art with me, I will not fear death. 
Eock of Ages ! cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in thee. 
Let the water and the blood, 
From thy riven side which flowed, 
Be of sin the double cure: 
Cleanse me^from its guilt and power. 

Amen. 



O Holy, Blessed and Glorious Trinity, 
three persons and one God, have mercy 
upon me, and receive my soul. Amen. 



VII. Prayers for the Social Prayer Meet- 
ing. 



1. For the Social Prayer Meeting. 
Most Merciful Father in heaven, whom all 
the hosts of heaven obey, and whom all thy 



SOCIAL PRAYER MEETING. 73 

children love to praise : we would gather be- 
fore the mercy-seat with child-like trust and 
faith in thee. For we know that thou art 
nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, 
and that thou wilt hear such as be of an 
humble spirit. Thou art full of compassion 
and mercy, long-suffering, and plenteous in 
goodness and truth. Turn unto us, O Lord, 
at this time, and have mercy upon us, for we 
confess and bewail our sins. We desire to 
turn from them with full purpose of heart # 
Help us to approach thee with reverence and 
godly fear ; to be willing to forsake the sins 
we confess, and to sincerely desire the mer- 
cies for which we pray : so that we may be 
heard and answered when we call upon 
thee in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
We beseech thee, O Lord, to give us grace, 
that we may be enabled to live as thou 
wouldst have us to live. Help us so to 
number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom. As we grow in years, 
may we also grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Teach us how to live lives of faith, 
that our daily walk may be sanctified, and 
that all our labors may be blessed from on 
high, and bring honor unto thy name. 



74 PRAYERS FOR THE 

Most Merciful Saviour, we beseech thee to 
bless and prosper thy Church throughout 
the world. Clothe thy ministers with right- 
eousness, and let the people rejoice in the 
spread of the gospel of peace and reconcili- 
ation. Grant that all thy followers may be 
earnest, sincere, true-hearted, humble, walk- 
ing in thy footsteps, and keeping themselves 
unspotted from the world. O save us from 
the curse of formality, from a vain and 
.worldly spirit, from covetousness, from envy 
and from luke-warmness. Revive thy work 
in the midst of thy people. Keep us from 
errors in doctrine, and errors in practice; 
and do thou crown thy work with thy bless- 
ing. 

O God, we pray that the whole world 
may soon hear the glad news of redemption 
in Christ Jesus. We pray thee to fulfill thy 
promises of old, for the dark places of the 
earth are still full of the habitations of cru- 
elty. Send forth thy light and thy truth, 
that the heathen also may be gathered into 
thy fold. O Saviour, may the trumpet of 
thine everlasting gospel be blown soon in 
every land, that the jubilee of the race may 
come, and that thou mayest see of the tra- 
vail of thy soul. And unto thee, be all 



SOCIAL PRAYER MEETING. 75 

glory and blessing, both now and ever. 
Amen. 



2. For the Social Prayer Meeting. 

O God. our Heavenly Father we would 
bow down before thee in humble adoration 
and praise. We are but of yesterday, but 
from eternity to eternity thou art God. We 
ail do fade as a leaf, but thou endurest 
through all generations. We know, O God, 
that it is of thee alone that we have been 
preserved until the present time. We thank 
thee for thy mercy in prolonging our days. 
We praise thee for the blessings of health 
and strength, of prosperity and every-day 
comforts ; for the ability to labor, and for 
all the success attending our efforts. We 
thank thee, O our Father, that thou blessest 
and sparest us, though we have not deserved 
this. Like' as a father pitieth his children 7 
so is the Lord merciful to them that fear 
him. Especially do we praise thee for the 
gift of thy Son, that infinite gift: that thou 
didst send him to us sinners ; that thou didst 
uphold him in all his sufferings ; that thou 
didst accept his redemption ; and that thou 
hast exalted him to be a Prince and a Sa- 



76 PRAYERS FOR THE 

viour, so that he ever lives to make inter- 
cession for us, in the Holy of Holies above. 

We pray thee, O Lord, to teach us to love 
this Saviour for his matchless love to us. 
Write thy laws in our hearts, that we may 
keep and do them. Make us to be doers of 
the word, and not hearers only. Yea, do 
thou reign on the throne of our souls, and 
rule in our hearts by thy Holy Spirit. 

O Lord, we acknowledge, with shame and 
confusion of face, that we have often been 
unmindful of thee, and of thy goodness to 
us. We feel that we have sinned against 
Heaven, and in thy sight, and are no more 
worthy to be called thy children. But we 
bless and praise thee, that thou hast taught 
us, that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all 
sin. We would fly, therefore, to Jesus, who 
hath borne our iniquities, and who is ever 
able and willing to save. 

And now, Lord, we would pray thee to 
enable us to serve thee henceforth with our 
whole heart. Give us watchfulness and 
strength, and presence of mind, to resist 
sudden temptation, and all assaults of Sa- 
tan. Make us to walk uprightly, and con- 
sistently, as the sincere followers of Jesus. 
Bless us in our going out, and in our 
coming in. 



SOCIAL PRAYER MEETING. 77 

We beseech thee also to bless all who are 
near and dear to us. Bless our Pastor : 
support him in his responsible labors. Bless 
our country, and those who are in authority 
over us. Guide and direct all who are in 
places of public trust. Give peace and pros- 
perity to our land, and to all that dwell 
therein. Eemember thy Church universal. 
Send forth faithful laborers into thy vine- 
yard. May the kingdoms of this world soon 
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and may 
the knowledge of the Lord soon cover the 
earth, as the waters cover the sea. O Lord, 
forgive all our offences, watch over us, and 
finally receive Us into thy kingdom above : 
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and 
Eedeemer. Amen. 



3. For the Social Prayer Meeting. 
O God, eternal, immortal, invisible. Thou, 
even thou alone, art God. For thou hast 
made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with 
all their host; the earth, and all things 
therein ; the sea, and all things therein. 
And thou preservest them all. All the hosts 
of heaven do worship thee. O help us also 
to worship thee in the beauty of holiness, in 
spirit and in truth. 



78 SOCIAL PRAYER MEETING. 

Help us, O God, at all times to remember 
thy goodness and thy mercy. For thou dost 
daily load us with benefits. Thou givest us 
our food, our raiment, our homes, and all 
that we have. Thou hast watched over us 
even since we were born, and by thy provi- 
dence thou hast crowned our lives with thy 
gifts of love. Thou hast cast our lot in a 
Christian land, a land- abounding in gospel 
privileges. Thou hast surrounded us with 
the holy influences of thy Church. For 
all these blessing we return thee the sincere 
love and gratitude of our hearts. 

Help us by thy grace, O Lord, that we 
may improve these our privileges and mer- 
cies. We seek thy pardoning grace ; we 
submit ourselves without reserve to thy will. 

O pour out thy Spirit upon us here, that 
the work of the Lord may prosper. And 
when thou hast served thy righteous pur- 
poses with us here, grant, O Lord, that we- 
may be numbered among those, whom thou 
wilt gather from among all kindreds, and 
people and tongues, to praise and glorify 
thee forever, in thy heavenly ^kingdom : 
through riches of grace in Christ, our Ee- 
deemer. Amen. 



mm- 



Page 
L— INVITATIONS TO PRAYER 3 

II.— AIDS TO PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 

1. Before uniting with the Church 4 

2. Before going to Church 7 

3. After entering the Church 8 

4. Before the Lord's Supper 9 

5. After the Lord's Supper. 12 

6. On entering upon the duties of the day. .13 

7. On retiring to Rest 14 

8. On the death of one's Father or Mother..l6 

9. On the death of a Friend 17 

10. When under Conviction of Sin 19 

11. After a Relapse into Sin 21 

12. In Times of Adversity and Poverty.... 23 

13. In Times of Prosperity 25 

14. In Times of Temptation 27 

15. In Times of Despondency 29 

16. In Times of Care and Trouble 32 

17. In Times of- Sickness or Pestilence 34 

18. Longings after Holiness 36 

19. Longings after Heaven 38 

20. Thanksgivings 40 

Thanksgiving for the gift of a Saviour..41 

for the Christian Calling 1.41 

after Recovery from Sickness.... 43 

— for Recovery from Sickness 42 

A General Thanksgiving 44 

A General Thanksgiving 45 



III.— PEAYERS FOR THE FAMILY. 

1. A Morning Prayer 46 

2. A Morning Prayer 47 

3. An Evening Prayer 49 

4. An Evening Prayer 51 

5. An Evening Prayer 53 

IV.— TABLE PRAYERS 55 

V.— PRAYERS IN BEHALF OF THE SICK. 

1. At the commencement of a Sickness. ..57 

2. For a Sick Person 58 

3. For a Sick Person 60 

4. For a Sick Person 61 

5. For one dangerously ill 62 

6. For a Sick Child 63 

VI.— PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND DYING 

1. A Daily Morning Prayer 65 

2. A Daily Evening Prayer 66 

3. A Penitential Prayer 68 

4. For Relief from great Pain ....69 

5. In Times of Distress 69 

6. At the Moment of Death 71 

7. For Dying Persons 71 

VII.— PRAYERS FOR THE SOCIAL PRAYER 
MEETING. 

1. For the Social Prayer Meeting 72 

2. For the Social Prayer Meeting.... 75 

3. For the Social Prayer Meeting 77 



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